I’m writing this from on a bus about an hour outside of Saint Jean. I have no wifi, so will hopefully upload this once we reach our albergue, Beilari. Karis is sleeping on my lap for the second time today, and I’m pretty sure I feel drool all over my right thigh. 😉
This morning started off early with us leaving our hotel in Montparnasse just after 6am.
Our train was scheduled to depart at 7:28. On our way to the station, we discovered that the train employees were staging a strike today. Lovely. After a turning down a French television station to record an on camera interview on our feelings regarding the strike, we were happy to find out that our train was not affected. Or so we thought…
We travelled a few hours to Bordeaux. We were scheduled to continue on to Bayonne, but were told that we had to depart the train and that there would be a two hour wait until the next train arrived – AND that two trains full of people would need to share one. Once in Bayonne, our train that would take us to Saint Jean would have already left – and we would need to take a bus come that point.
While we waited in Bordeaux we walked through some of the town. We ran into a very friendly French lady who recognized us to be pilgrims. She was very excited, talking very fast and after a good 5 minutes, finished our conversation with her not knowing what it was all about! 🙂
Also while in Bordeaux we met our first fellow pilgrims! Lannie and Debbie from California, Georgie from London, England, and a father and daughter from Florida and New York.
Once back on the next train, we were dismayed to discover that there were not enough seats. The conductor told everyone that it was okay. People could stand. We were some of the lucky standers! After about an hour, and irritated with a snobby couple sitting by where we stood, we made our way to the dining car where we were able to sit under a table!
As uncomfortable as the train ride was, it did seen to go quickly, and we departed the train with our new pilgrim friends in Bayonne. We spent the two hour wait with them exploring the city, and are currently on the bus to Saint Jean with them.
Karis keeps sliding off the seat here while I type, so I’m going to put my phone down now and hold on to her while I enjoy the amazing sights of southern France. 🙂
Happy to be almost to our starting point!



